Goal: To design and package an efficient Combined, Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) control
system for residential use. By adapting the Arduino technology, the existing system
runs more efficiently. The system is able to diagnose itself and display faults via
Human Machine Interface (HMI) software programmed on an LCD screen. The system also
connects to the grid to decentralize power generation. Upon completion of this project,
this system is to provide the customer with reliable power generation and a lower
utility bill.

UAV Auto-Optimizing Location for Wireless Communications

Goal: To create an autonomous positioning drone capable of transmitting and receiving a
wireless signal, effectively creating a mobile relay in a field network. The drone
will need to respond to the strength of signal received to an onboard communication
system. A drone will be purchased that is able to be controlled by GPS, and modified
to automate control. The modules attached to the drone will communicate with a ground
station capable of analyzing the signal received. The ground station will utilize
a written algorithm to transmit proper location changes as a function of the received
signal to the station.

Ultrasonic Speakers for Geometrically Focused Information Delivery

Goal: To design, test, and optimize a wireless communication system that transmits geometrically
focused data using ultrasonic waves. The system will receive input data from a user
and convert this to a high frequency sound pressure wave, or ultrasound wave. On the
other end of the communication link, an ultrasonic transducer will serve as a receiver
for this information. The signal picked up by the transducer will then be decoded
and read by the receiving end user.

Sponsor: Whelen Engineering Company Inc., committed to bring innovative, life-saving products
to market more quickly while maintaining strict quality control throughout the process.

Goal: To create and construct a standalone module that will communicate with a vehicle’s
CAN Bus and provide 8 digital (12V DC) outputs to the existing Whelen CanTrol. It
will be connected through the OBD-II port in the vehicle to the CAN-high and CAN-low
pins to analyze the signals and then transmit the correct outputs to the external
processes of the vehicle. Currently, when emergency lighting and equipment is installed
into vehicles, many OEM wiring harnesses must be cut and spliced, which adds cost
to lighting installations and compromises the integrity of the OEM wiring. The designed
module will be manufactured and assembled inside an encapsulated plastic housing with
all associated cabling and installed on a Ford F-550 tow truck.

Voice Activated Elevator

Goal: To design and build an elevator that can be activated by voice commands. The user
will give the elevator commands by speaking into a microphone that is attached to
a voice board, the speech will be processed, and the microcontroller will appropriate
decisions. For example. the user will be able to say “go to second floor” and the
elevator will take them to the second floor.

Smart Medicine Bottle: Clearing the Air Between Doctor and Patient

Goal: To design, test, and analyze a smart pill bottle to keep track of a patient’s pill
usage. The pill bottle will administer prescription medication safely by tracking
the patient’s rate of consumption. Currently, use of prescription medication by patients
is not monitored, which can be potentially dangerous. The smart pill bottle will give
doctors the ability to track their patient’s drug usage. Possible methods of measuring
the number of pills which are in the bottle at a given time will be explored.